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Chapter 10

Brock woke up lying on the floor in front of the front door.

A smirking Blake standing over him “Good Morning Sunshine.” He was wearing board shorts and a vest.

Sitting up slowly, Brock put a hand to his head. “Ouch. Why am I on the floor?”

Blake crouched next to his brother, “Well big bro, let me tell you a story. It starts about midnight last night. I hear the answering machine beeping, it woke me up by the way, and I hear a very garbled message from you, drunk as a skunk. My night off and I thought I could get an early night. I heard the message and so decided to wait up for you, to come in. This is what I saw and heard.”

Blake grabbed his phone out of his shorts, opening the photos app and pressing the play button. Brock saw himself walk up three steps then slip and slide back down. Then he saw himself on his hands and knees, giggling, crawling up four flights of stairs. He saw Blake go back inside, the camera went dark but the audio was still capturing Brock’s voice “Ok ssshhhh I mustn’t wake Blake. Now where’s my keys. Keys. Keys. Ah there they are. Ok. Key goes in the lock, who moved the lock. Ssssssh who keeps talking. Okay. Lock where are you? Ah ha! Put key in and twist. Why isn’t it unlocking? Sssshhh who’s talking. Ah doors open.” Brock sees himself push down the handle. Blake had moved to behind the wall. Holding the camera out.

Drunk Brock is now sitting on the floor trying to take his shoes off. Taking his jacket off and thinking he’s hanging it up, putting it in the plant pot by the front door. Brock sees his drunk self lie on the floor “I’m just gonna lie on the couch for now. Tired.” And after 30 seconds he was snoring gently.

“You bastard.” Brock said. Laughing Blake said “You used your shoe as a pillow. Better get that sorted before you go to work. You have an imprint on your face.”

Laughing hard he walked away and shut his bedroom door.

Slowly very slowly as if his head would fall off Brock got to his feet. When he was stood at his full height he felt the effects of the vomit coming up and dashed off to the bathroom.

‘Why did I drink whisky? Every time I drink it I end up drunk. Why didn’t I just stick to beer? With beer I don’t get drunk.’ His head throbbed, his throat was sore, and his stomach ached. Pulling out his phone he messaged his boss to let him know he wouldn’t be in to work.

His boss texted back “Well I kind of assumed you wouldn’t be after the festivities of the IBA. Upload the photos before you Get some sleep and see you tomorrow.” Brock could tell by the message his boss was pissed but right now he didn’t care.

He opened his laptop and connected his camera putting them in a file, then uploaded the photographs to the companies cloud storage. Then Brock dragged his aching body to his bedroom, he fell face first diagonally on the soft mattress. And passed out.

SOMEWHERE ACROSS TOWN

The familiar ‘beep beep’ was the only noise in the quiet room.

A hand reached out from under the duvet and grabbed the phone.

Having just woken up it took three attempts for Melissa to remember the pattern of her phones Lock Screen. After a lot of swearing and a battle of woman vs machine - woman won.

Pest - Hey sis, I’m standing outside your door, let me in.

Springing out of bed, Melissa grabbed her silk robe and wrapped it around herself. Tying the belt, she found her comfy boot slippers, tripping over her own feet, the dining room chair, and the couch, letting out a very loud “You fucking twat.” And “You stupid fucking thing” As she did so, she finally made it to the front door.

Unlocking the door, she pulled the heavy grey door and there stood her younger brother Ryan Hartford-Bass.

Ryan Hartford-Bass was the youngest child of Shane Hartford and Suzanna Hartford-Bass. He had always been a very small, skinny kid, with chocolate coloured hair, and emerald green eyes, until he hit 13 and puberty kicked in.

He became broader and taller, he seemed to have muscle definition even though he never worked out. He was popular at school, a boy genius they called him, he was kind, loving and protective. He often called out bullies making them responsible for their actions, but rarely getting into fights. He stood there in his Dr Who T-shirt, long multicoloured scarf and long mackintosh coat, he wore red converse trainers, Ryan was also a massive nerd.

Standing there with a crooked smile and messy hair he said “Well aren’t you going to let me in squirt?” Ryan’s deep voice reverberated in her ears.

“Fuck’s sake Ry. You know you’re always welcome here.” Melissa said steeping slightly to one side.

“You got a guy here? Is that what took you so long to answer the door?” Ryan cast a suspicious eye around the apartment, looking for signs of male activity Stalking towards the bedroom as he did so.

“Ryan I was asleep you little turd. I got in late last night from the IBA and I was up till 4am working. What time is it now anyway?” Melissa put her hands in her pocket for her phone only to realise it was on her bed.

Grabbing a pair of skinny black jeans, some underwear and a grey sweater dress, Melissa quickly threw them on.

“It’s 7:00 and who’s Blake Milligan and why is he texting you?” Ryan asked. Running into her bedroom Melissa dived for the phone now in Ryan’s hand who was standing by the bed.

Melissa and Ryan have always teased each other first it was Melissa who teased Ryan holding things in the air just out of his reach, so now being taller than her Ryan did the same thing.

Charging him like a bull she put al her weight behind it and shoved him onto the bed, catching him off guard and dropping her phone. As it dropped through the air Melissa caught it before it hit the ground.

Standing triumphantly Melissa said “I know more tricks than you think little bro. Come on let’s get breakfast. I will take you to my favourite coffee shop, they do amazing BLT sandwiches.”

Knowing that Ryan loved BLT’s he jumped off the bed and walked towards the door.

“Come on sis. Food.” He yelled. Melissa grabbed her dolly shoes, car keys and house keys and they headed out of the door.

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